Long Ago

As time passed and the kingdom grew and eventually a king fell into power and along with his wife and two daughters. He was a fair king who ruled over his people justly and he and his family was adored by all. His heir to the throne, his eldest daughter, her hair black as night and the soul of a warrior lurked within. While his youngest was a fair haired child who was adored for her kindness, mirrored his wife in every way. It was thought that the kingdom that ruled with grace and respect, whose banners flew high made of deep red and gold, would fly on for many years. But things don't always turn out the way you'd expect them to be.

"HURRY CATERIN," Aludra shouted over her shoulder as she pushed Sceadu, the large bay skogkatt, underneath her forward. "Come on girl, you're nearly there." The horses ears flicked back towards her rider and with a snort she stretched forward and raced towards the edge of the treeline. It had taken a good part of the morning to convince Caterin to follow her out, to ditch their lessons and ride out to who knew where. It had taken far less time however for the two girls, racing on horseback to ditch their guard. Aludra looked back again to see her sister just a few paces behind her, so far no guards.

The forest, was thick and full of lavender and other wildflowers this time of year, it smelled heavenly. But for Aludra the adventure awaited just outside the forest that guarded their castle. On down past the valley she was aiming for, lay a river with a huge stone bridge that would lead them to the village and then who knew where. She doubted they would go farther than that, but the idea of a hint of freedom called her name.

She pulled Sceadu to a halt after they were clear of the forest and waited for her sister and her horse to catch up. "See I told you," Aludra singsonged towards her sister with a wide smile. She had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing as poor Caterin's hair had come half undone with parts of it sticking out in every direction and small branches and leaves had collected in it. "You um..you have-"

"I know!" Caterin snapped as she pulled at a twig, "this is terrible, why on earth would you run off? And take that path no less?"

The two girls looked back, the section  of forest Aludra had used was rumored to be haunted. Hardly anyone went through that section, especially at night, unimaginable things lurked within it. "You survived didn't you? Don’t tell me you’re scared of ghost stories," Aludra chuckled, then clucked to Sceadu, "come on Caterin, we're nearly there."

"And what happens when father comes?" Caterin looked at her sister, as she pushed light colored mare forward, "what happens when you get in trouble this time?"

Aludra shrugged, "I'll worry about that if it ever happens."

"When it happens."

The two women were halfway through the field when barking rang out in the clearing. Sceadu stopped dead in her tracks and swiveled her large ears around, trying to decide if the barking was friend or foe. "Come on girl..." Aludra nudged her mare, she knew the sound of those dogs.

"OH great, just perfect," Caterin groaned, "I leave one time with you, ONE TIME!"

"Then let's move," Aludra pushed her mare forward and she got a few paces forward before-

"PAPA!!! SHE'S OUT HERE!"

Aludra stopped her horse and turned to face her sister, she stared at her long and hard. She watched as her sister made a pained face then turned her horse and raced towards the barking, leaving her to fend for her own. She didn't know whether to be shocked or annoyed, she knew that Caterin didn't have the guts to stand up to her father but this seemed like a low blow. "That's the last time I take her anywhere." Aludra fumed as she held Sceadu in place, the mare nickered but stood her ground. "Yea yea, better get used to doing nothing."

It didn't take too long after her sister left before four large collies burst through the trees and came running in her direction. Soon after followed a man sitting atop a large black stallion and her sister came into view, followed by 5 or so guards. Aludra rubbed her forehead, this is exactly why she should have just left her at home.

"Good morning Aludra." Her father's loud voice carried easily over the valley. His gentle tone meant one of two things, he was either in a good mood or once she was clear of the guards she'd be in for it. She expected the second one, she turned around in her saddle and put on a large smile just as he came close.

"Good morning papa! It was just such a lovely day and-"

He motioned with his hand to stop her sentence. "You are supposed to have someone accompany you, it's for your safety." He shook his head, "it’s not a very fair thing for a king to have to postpone his duties to bring his daughter home from her losing her guard, now is it? Luckily it seems Caterin followed you and made my job much easier." Caterin beamed behind her father.

So she'd be in for it later. Caterin would get payback. Aludra mused in her head how her sister’s new dress she'd been so excited for may need a few adjustments, she was sure she could manage them, or perhaps the boy she’d been writing may receive a not so friendly letter. Or maybe she’d come up with something even better to get even. She glanced at her sister before looking at her father. "I'm sorry Father, I just..." She sighed, giving in, "it won't happen again." Her head hung low, maybe if she acted a little more guilty he'd go easy on her? Aludra doubted it

"Caterin, you return home with the guards. I'll bring Aludra home myself." The king glanced back towards his youngest daughter, "go on, tell your mother we will be back."

Oh...she was in so much trouble. Her father usually would drag her back, give her some long speech, send her to do more studying with the tutor and be done with it. But now he wanted a moment alone, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he hadn’t been so off lately.

"Come Aludra, there are things we should speak about." Her father led away his horse, knowing his daughter would follow behind he didn't wait for long to speak again. "There are many things to tell you, but you have to promise once I do," he looked back at her now, studying her, "you won't do anything well...intelligent."

She looked at him oddly, confused by his wording, "why would I?"

His odd behavior had started when a man dressed in a red and black uniform, one she’d never seen before, showed up just a few weeks after her eighteenth birthday. He had ridden up to the castle seeking an immediate audience with her father. She could remember the worried look on his face when he’d seen the man. He’d been off since. But gradually it carried over towards Aludra and Caterin. They had been required when leaving the castle grounds to be accompanied by guards. Lessons and other busying things seemed to double almost over night, Aludra felt they were a ruse for a distraction to keep her from...something.

"Aludra are you listening to me?”

Aludra looked back at her father, “Sir?”

He chuckled softly and shook his head, The man that came to see me. Do you remember that?" His repeated question made her nod, "He's part of the Ligdracan rídera."

"Aren't they a myth?" She should have never asked. He broke into a long conversation as the walked through the valley. She had followed him unknowing where he was taking her. He told her stories of witches far greater than that of a normal witch. Of a war unlike any war any of their recent ancestors had seen. It had made no sense to her why this was all so important, until they were close to the river's edge. When they reached the start of the bridge a man who sat on horseback, in the middle of the bridge, met them.

Aludra knew him well, he was her father's head guard, but his uniform was wrong. Their uniform colors were red and gold, but he stood in front of them dressed in that same odd red and black uniform. Her brain was in overdrive, why had her father brought her with him? Was this an alliance deal? Surely he didn’t plan on aligning himself with some fictional army? She was about to ask when he spoke again.

"As I know you know Aleic, my head guard and your sworn protector. What you do not know is," her father stopped and looked at the man again and heaved a heavy sigh. "This man is," he stopped again.

"Your Highness...it's not important."

"But it is, as my daughter and the future queen of this kingdom she has a right to know it all."

"Know what?" Yet another question she would have wished she never asked.

"Aleic is your birth father."

His words had unraveled something inside her, like her entire being changed. From that day forward she had secluded herself from everything and everyone. Everything she had known was a lie, he still claimed her as his own. To him she was his daughter, but in fact, she was the product of infidelity. Her father's head knight had bedded her mother and she was a bastard. Even though her father had known, he’d claimed her as his own and no one was ever the wiser.  But it didn't feel like safety, in fact it felt like a knife between her ribs. The whole kingdom believed a lie, that was until Aludra told the only person she could trust.

"What do you mean 'not your father', of course he is silly!" Caterin's laugh grated on her nerves.

"Ask him," Aludra's voice was dark and she felt hot. "I only speak the truth."

"You're just trying to get me in trouble, again! You want me to look like a fool! This is payback for a few days ago!" Caterin stuck her tongue out, "I won't fall for it. Besides come on Aludra, I didn’t want to get in trouble you were more than happy to take the consequences for your actions! Why should I have paid for it too?”

"That wasn’t the point of-” she stopped then shook her head. “Don't believe me, fine, but I'm leaving tonight." Aludra turned her heel on her sister and headed towards the corridor. There was no shouting or pulling that could of stopped her, she easily pushed her sister off of her and kept walking. Leaving her sister’s crumpled form lying on the stone floor.

The stable was dark, but Sceadu was already tacked and ready to go. She looked over the dark horse and frowned, she’d been a present from the king, her past mount had gotten too old and this beautiful mare in front of her was a gift. It felt wrong to take her with her. To take something that was given to a daughter of the king. She wasn’t his daughter. But she couldn’t bare to part with the mare. She was her freedom. "Thank you Roric, your speed and silence is much appreciated. Tell Tanner I’ll write to him the second I am settled." She tossed a small sack of coins towards the boy as she climbed on top of her mare. It felt odd, she looked down at the tack, she couldn’t bare to part with it. Yes it connected her with her kingdom but it was part of her...even if it shouldn’t be. Without a second look back she raced out of the castle, her only home, but she knew if she looked back she would lose her nerve. This was the best thing for everyone, ride off and never be seen again. She wouldn't seek out the Ridera, nor would she seek out anyone whom her family knew. She'd go as far north as Sceadu could take her.

What she hadn't expected is her sister to run to their father, because no sooner as she gotten into the forest he was on her. His voice shouting her name sounded like thunder in the distance. She pushed her mare onward, she was at a full gallop, they bobbed through the trees easily. But she knew that Sceadu was no match for her father's horse, she could hear them behind her running like mad men. He was at her side within moments  and grabbing for Sceadu's reins, he harshly yanked her to a full stop. The mare squealed in shock and skidded to a halt beside her father and his horse.

"Where do you think you are going?!" There was rage and fear in his voice as he looked his daughter over. He could see she was fleeing it was obvious. "What do you think you are doing?!" His voice was snapping at her. It was a scary sight for Aludra, she’d never seen him so frazzled and, as she looked deeper afraid. There was pain and fear behind his eyes. For a man, a king to look at her like that, the man she had grown up thinking nothing could touch. The pain that laid in her chest was unbearable.

"Leaving! Leaving this place and everyone in it! I don't belong here!!" She yanked her reins back tried to move forward but her father moved faster, the large black horse stood in front of her. He wouldn’t let her go. "Move."

"Excuse me?" Her father's voice was ice. "That's not how you speak to your fa-"

"King, yes your right. I shouldn't, let me bow like the commoner that I am." Aludra went to bow in her saddle.

"Don't you dare."

His voice caused her to pause. His eyes were glossed over with unshed tears. "Please..." There was silence, painful silence, between the two of them. She was incredibly close to her father. He had taken her wherever he went, made her part of his every decision once she was old enough. He taught her to lead, to fight, everything was all in his teaching. She loved him, wholeheartedly, this hurt more than any wound could ever touch. The silence seemed to linger on for years, but then the black stallion moved. "If you wish to go...go, I won't stop you." She looked at him, "I love you, and if this is what you want...you can have it."

Something inside begged her to stay, she felt it deep within her bones, that if she left things would never be the same. She looked at him one last time, Aludra knew she couldn’t stay. Not with this mess inside her head. Maybe one day she would return. She pushed Sceadu forward. "Goodbye." Before she could change her mind she spurred Sceadu forward and with tears streaming down her face she raced into the night.

Months had passed and she hadn’t made as far north as she planned. She had found herself captured by a man, Matthias, who over time turned from captor to lover. As much as she hated herself for staying in the place she deemed home, it had been comfortable. She’d grown accustomed to her way of life in the way it was now. She wasn’t a princess, not anymore, at least not in her lovers eyes it was good enough for her.

But beauty in new life died the morning she awoke to a bird whom she easily recognized sat in her window.

Scrawled in the most beautiful and elegant way only her mother could do she looked down at a letter she never wanted to read.

‘My darling,

Come home...your father is dying.

~Mother’

Her chest seemed to cave in on itself as she sat on the edge of her bed. Hand heal to her chest, the note clutched between it. She hardly recognized her lover’s voice as he reached for her, everything was distorted and blurry. She raced away and headed for the stables.

It was there that her lover met her. He was angry. She could see it all over his face, when his eyes fell on Sceadu she couldn’t read it.

“Leaving?”

She nodded as she went to finish. “I have to leave it-” she shook her head “I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

“You are a prisoner here.”

His words caused her to turn and face him. He stood there almost like stone, something that always got on her nerves. So unmoving and always under control, it was in moments when she was falling apart that his control turned her to rage.

“You freed me the moment you made love to me. You told me I was free.”

“To live here, with me.” His voice ever so calm, grated on her patience.

“Well now as I am free, I am leaving.” She turned back to her horse and resumed getting ready to leave. She didn’t hear his steps behind her but he felt him spin her around and face him again. He was so close, the room around them felt hot and thick. Her eyes met with his and his eyebrow arched in what she thought was surprise.

“Let. Me. Go.” What was supposed to be soft came out as a growl and in a voice not her own. When he refused to budge without even realizing what was happen she felt a sting on her palm. HIs hand moved to cover his face. She blinked a few times before leaping onto Sceadu’s back and racing from inside the stables and as fast home as she could.

But her mare could only carry her so fast and by the time she returned home. She burst into the throne room in a frenzy to find Caterin perched on the throne her mother's crown rested upon her head.

“Well well, the bastard has returned.”

The words sent hot fire through Aludra’s veins. “Where are Mother and Father?”

“Dead. You’re far too late sister.” Caterin rose from her seat and quickly made her way towards her sister. “Father died weeks ago and mother, poor heartbroken mother, followed soon after. Father never was right after you left, this is all your fault.” Her words were hissed like a she was a snake as she stepped away. “But, you did help me, ascend the throne that is. With Mother’s letter unanswered, and mother’s untimely passing well,” her sister clapped her hands and smiled, “that left little ole me.” She made a happy giggle. “So now you should bow down before your queen.”

Aludra’s laughter filled the hallowed hall of the throne room. “Bow? To you? That’s the funniest thing I have ever heard. I’ve returned now and I-”

“Have zero birthright, you’re the bastard of a dead knight. I set the record straight, I pressed father after you left, like you so happily suggested, and he came clean. You are not a princess. But the spawn of lust.” She spat her final words,” now bow.”

“Never.”

Caterin glared at her sister, “fine. GUARDS!!! Arrest the Ridea scum. They poisoned our beloved king and now they claim the throne!!!”

“NO!!!!”

Before guards could even lung to attack the glass in the window behind the throne shattered into a million pieces. The flames of every candle in the room roared into a unimaginable fury. Aludra felt something wild pulse through her veins.

“I would have never hurt my father.”

“Oh but you did,” Caterin dusted her dress off. “You did poison him, you know you did.”

Guards moved now, Aludra watched them and with a movement that was not her own the fire leaped from their candles and formed a snake around her, without a thought she whipped it around the room sending them flying. Something inside her moved.

“If you want to rule the kingdom, fine. But it’ll be hard ruling from a pile of ash.” With a wave of her hand the candles that hung from every room inside the castle leapt to life and began to engulf the castle.

The screams of her sister were drowned out as people ran as quickly as they could away. Aludra ran with them blending in as best she could as she raced back to Sceadu. The mare was all that was left of her father. She would take her to safety. She had faith in her. She jumped on her back and raced out, dodging arrows as her sister had guards aim from the windows at her.